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Johnny English

Johnny English

He knows no fear. He knows no danger. He knows nothing.

200387 minPGMidcredits score: 54th percentile of all films
Director
Peter Howitt
Starring
Rowan Atkinson, Natalie Imbruglia, Ben Miller, John Malkovich

A lowly pencil pusher working for MI7, Johnny English is suddenly promoted to super spy after Agent One is assassinated and every other agent is blown up at his funeral. When a billionaire entrepreneur sponsors the exhibition of the Crown Jewels—and the valuable gems disappear on the opening night and on English's watch—the newly-designated agent must jump into action to find the thief and recover the missing gems.

Where to watch

Where can I watch Johnny English?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove does not list Johnny English on any major US streaming service.

Your rating, lists and review

Highlights

What stands out about Johnny English?

Johnny English earns 9 badges, led by Crowd Pleaser and Box Office Hit.

Show 1 more
  • Reception
  • Craft and mood
  • Awards and box office
  • Cast

Reception

Is Johnny English worth watching?

Johnny English's Midcredits score is the 54th percentile of all films, from 374K ratings across 6 sources. 49% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

54th percentile

Better received than 54% of films

70th percentile among Action52nd percentile among 2000s
Acclaim (how much people like it)56th
Approval (how many liked it)51st

63 /100

56th percentile of all films

73rd percentile among Action56th percentile among 2000s

Critics 51 · Audience 64

Audiences liked it more than critics did.

Rating distribution

A broad spread centered near 6.5 — solid but not unanimous.

49% liked it

51st percentile of all films

65th percentile among Action48th percentile among 2000s
49% rated it 7–1051% rated it 1–6

Critics 33% · Audience 51%

On Rotten Tomatoes, a bigger share of audiences approved than critics.

Awards

0 Oscars won · 0 Oscar noms · 0 wins / 6 noms overall

98th percentile

374K ratings across platforms

96th percentile among Action96th percentile among 2000s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Down 13% in 30 days

Box office

Budget$40M
Opening weekend$9.1M
Domestic gross$28M
Worldwide gross$160M

Returned 4.0× its budget — 89th percentile earner in its genre.

What reviewers say

Common ground

It's an intentionally silly, unsophisticated spy spoof that lives or dies on Rowan Atkinson's physical comedy.

Fans praised

  • Rowan Atkinson's physical comedy and deadpan delivery carry the film
  • Lighthearted, harmless family entertainment with a charmingly bumbling hero
  • Pays affectionate homage to spy tropes without the crudeness of other parodies

Detractors panned

  • Predictable, telegraphed jokes that feel stale and unrewarding
  • Thin, formulaic plot that serves as a mere vehicle for slapstick
  • Relies too heavily on scatological and juvenile humor

What stands out

ActingDivisive70

Atkinson's comic timing and physicality praised, Malkovich's hammy French accent divisive

HumorDivisive55

Slapstick highlights but predictable gags and scatology drag down the overall laughter rate

CharactersDivisive45

English is an endearing fool but others are cardboard stereotypes

Plot and storyDivisive35

Serviceable but thin, derivative Bond-parody framework

Originality25

Trods well-worn Clouseau/Drebin parody ground without fresh spin

Preferred by

Women vs men

Preferred by Men

Men scored it 16 points higher than women.

Under-30s vs over-30s

Preferred by Under-30s

Under-30s scored it 20 points higher than over-30s.

US vs non-US

Preferred by Non-US Viewers

Non-US viewers scored it 16 points higher than US viewers.

No notable difference between the other groups: each pair ranks it within 10 percentile points.

  • Critics vs users 2 points apart

Watch experience

What is Johnny English like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Easy laugh: browse every movie of this kind

Watch this when you want something light that makes you laugh and does not take itself seriously.

It never lets up and leaves you entertained. Skip it when you want something with weight.

ToneFeelDemandwhat the answer rests onexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

Very little.

What it feels like

Easy laugh.

Moods
AbsurdJoyfulManic
Heaviest: throughout
Slapstick humor
Register
PlayfulAbsurdist · 7% of films: Deliberately illogical; embraces nonsense.
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.
ToneThe film holds its spy parody material at a knowing, exaggerated distance, delivering slapstick and absurd gags while maintaining a lighthearted tone.
The rideConsistently goofy and high-energy physical comedy, never dipping into real tension.
StructureThe story follows a standard beginning, middle, and end structure with no nonlinear elements.

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Entertained.

FunFeel-good
Why it leaves you this wayThe film is a lighthearted, silly comedy that leaves the viewer grinning and in high spirits.
How it ends · evidence
Happy ending

Story archetype

where it sits among all films
Monster — 21% of films. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of films. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 10% of films. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 4% of films. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 11% of films. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 9% of films. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 13% of films. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 7% of films. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 22% of filmsPredator — 6% of films. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 6% of films. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of films. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 2% of films. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of films. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of films. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of films. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of films. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of films. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of films. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — under 1% of films. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of films. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of films. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of films. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of films. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 4% of films. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 5% of films. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of films. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — 1% of films. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of films. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 2% of films. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — 1% of films. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of films. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — 1% of films. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 4% of films. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of films. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of films. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of films. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 1% of films. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of films. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — 2% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 2% of films. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 2% of films. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 3% of films. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 3% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 5% of films. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of films. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 2% of films. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of films. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 5% of films. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 2% of films. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).ComedyFarce
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 21%: Predator 6% · Tyrant 6% · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 2% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent under 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 10%: Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 4% · Mission 5% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage 1%
  • Voyage 4%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 2% · Survival ordeal 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent 1%
  • Comedy 11% (this title): Romantic comedy 4% · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% (this title) · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 1%
  • Tragedy 9%: Hubris 1% · Obsession 2% · Corruption arc 2% · Doomed love 2% · Crushed by fate 3%
  • Rebirth 13%: Redemption 3% · Healing 5% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 2%
  • Mystery 7%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 5% · Enigma 2%
  • No archetype 22%

Comedy: Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony. · Farce: Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).

11% of films fit this archetype

Why this archetypeA bumbling secret agent becomes Britain's last hope after all other agents are killed and must stop a French villain from stealing the crown and taking over the country.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 27% of filmsSelf — 22% of filmsPower — 7% of filmsMorality — 16% of filmsSurvival — 15% of filmsSociety — 9% of filmsIdeas — 5% of filmsRomantic love — 15% of filmsMarriage — 2% of filmsFamily bonds — 21% of filmsParenthood — 2% of filmsFriendship — 9% of filmsLoyalty — 4% of filmsIdentity — 14% of filmsComing of age — 5% of filmsAging — under 1% of filmsSelf-worth — 7% of filmsAmbition — 7% of filmsPurpose — 9% of filmsMemory — 3% of filmsObsession — 3% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 2% of filmsCorruption — 3% of filmsGreed — 3% of filmsClass — 3% of filmsOppression — 4% of filmsFreedom — 5% of filmsJustice — 13% of filmsDuty — 2% of filmsRevenge — 4% of filmsGuilt — 3% of filmsRedemption — 6% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — 1% of filmsSacrifice — 4% of filmsBetrayal — 5% of filmsDeception — 9% of filmsSurvival — 17% of filmsWar — 1% of filmsViolence — 4% of filmsMortality — 2% of filmsGrief — 6% of filmsTrauma — 7% of filmsMental illness — 1% of filmsAddiction — 1% of filmsIllness and disability — under 1% of filmsCommunity — 14% of films. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 5% of filmsPrejudice — 3% of filmsDisplacement — 1% of filmsFaith — 3% of filmsTradition vs change — 2% of filmsFame — 3% of filmsLegacy — 4% of filmsFate — 1% of filmsFree will — under 1% of filmsTruth — 4% of filmsHope — 5% of filmsNature — 2% of filmsArt — 4% of filmsTechnology — 1% of filmsSelfSelf-worth
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 27%: Romantic love 15% · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 21% · Parenthood 2% · Friendship 9% · Loyalty 4%
  • Self 22% (this title): Identity 14% · Coming of age 5% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% (this title) · Ambition 7% · Purpose 9% · Memory 3% · Obsession 3%
  • Power 7%: Power 2% · Corruption 3% · Greed 3% · Class 3% · Oppression 4% · Freedom 5%
  • Morality 16%: Justice 13% · Duty 2% (this title) · Revenge 4% · Guilt 3% · Redemption 6% · Forgiveness 1% · Sacrifice 4% · Betrayal 5% · Deception 9%
  • Survival 15%: Survival 17% · War 1% · Violence 4% · Mortality 2% · Grief 6% · Trauma 7% · Mental illness 1% · Addiction 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 9%: Community 14% · Isolation 5% · Prejudice 3% · Displacement 1% · Faith 3% · Tradition vs change 2% · Fame 3% · Legacy 4% (this title)
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 4% · Hope 5% · Nature 2% · Art 4% · Technology 1%

Self

Self-worth · 7% of filmsLegacy · 4% of filmsDuty · 2% of films
Satirizes its theme: Attacks its theme through ridicule.Societal stakes: Consequences reach a whole social order.Single lead
How it treats its themeEnglish desperately wants to be seen as a capable agent, despite his incompetence, and proves his worth through sheer luck and persistence.
StanceSauz's plan to turn the UK into a prison is treated as ridiculous, satirising the well-trodden 'evil takeover' plot.

The world

ContemporaryUrbanInstitutionalStylized realism
Orchestral modernSupportive music · original score · Edward Shearmur
SettingPresent-day London, with a brief detour to a French chateau.
MusicThe score parodies classic spy-film music with bouncy, light-hearted cues.

Content guide

Is Johnny English okay for kids?

PG

Johnny English is rated PG: “Rated PG for comic nudity, some crude humor and language” (MPAA). As of October 3, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at moderate (36/100), sexual content at mild (34/100), language at moderate (41/100), drug and alcohol content at mild (34/100) and frightening material at minimal (11/100). Overall it is heavier than 53% of PG-rated films.

Ratings in 24 other countries
  • UKPG
  • CanadaPG
  • AustraliaPG
  • Germany6
  • FranceU
  • IrelandPG
  • JapanG
  • South KoreaALL
  • BrazilL
  • Austria6
  • Czechia12+
  • FinlandK-7
  • GreecePG
  • Hungary12
  • Israelהותר לכל
  • LTN-13
  • MexicoA
  • Netherlands6
  • Poland16
  • PortugalM/12
  • RO15
  • SpainA
  • Sweden7
  • Switzerland16
Overall
Mild · all five categories
Heavier than 16% of all filmsHeavier than 53% of PG-rated films
Violence & Gore
Moderate
typical for a PG-rated film
heavier than 53%
Sex & Nudity
Mild
heavy for a PG-rated film
heavier than 76%
Profanity
Moderate
heavy for a PG-rated film
heavier than 81%
Alcohol & Drugs
Mild
heavy for a PG-rated film
heavier than 75%
Frightening / Intense
None / Minimal
light for a PG-rated film
heavier than 9%

Point along a line to see a well-known title at that level.

Nothing here is extreme. The strongest element is language, heavier than 81% of PG-rated films.

Source: Midcredits content scores, 0 (none) to 100 (severe) per category, with each standing ranked against other films that have them.

What content warnings does Johnny English have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in Johnny English?

Cast

2 of the cast already had the standing of a top-10% working actor.

Rowan Atkinson
as Johnny English
Career best: Their highest-reaching film role by billing, audience size and rating.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Natalie Imbruglia
as Lorna Campbell
First film: No prior film role; they had worked in television.
Ben Miller
as Bough
Breakout: Their highest-reaching film role at the time, and they went on to a career at least 3 times their standing then.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
John Malkovich
as Pascal Sauvage
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Greg Wise
as Agent One
Breakout: Their highest-reaching film role at the time, and they went on to a career at least 3 times their standing then.
Tasha de Vasconcelos
as Exotic Woman
Newcomer: A standing when this film came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Douglas McFerran
as Carlos Vendetta
Newcomer: A standing when this film came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Steve Nicolson
as Dieter Klein
Newcomer: A standing when this film came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Terence Harvey
as Official at Funeral
Newcomer: A standing when this film came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Kevin McNally
as Prime Minister

Crew

More like this

What are movies like Johnny English?

Movies like Johnny English include Johnny English Reborn (2011), Johnny English Strikes Again (2018) and The Tuxedo (2002). Of the 12 closest matches, several are films written by Robert Wade and Neal Purvis, and most are stories about spies.

Balanced: every group counts the same, and production only breaks ties.

11 of these 12 share its world: espionage. Those cards say what else they share.

Explore by

What else shares a premise, people or place with Johnny English?

930 other films share the rarest tag below, follows: spy. Each tag opens Browse with the films that share it.